Green Lemons are Limes

In the vibrant town of Cuevas del Almanzora in the year 1900, there stood an exquisite shared house with a stunning crystal chandelier gracing its grand hallway. This shimmering masterpiece was a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped the lives of its occupants.
The house was home to the Gómez family—Juan, the head of the household; Maria, his long-suffering wife; and their small daughter, Isabella, with dreams that seemed unreachable under the weight of her family's troubles.
The chandelier in the hallway was a dazzling sight to behold, its crystal prisms refracting the sunlight into a mesmerising dance of colours. It was the one source of beauty and light in their otherwise gloomy existence.
Juan Gómez was a violent man, his temper fuelled by alcohol and frustration. He worked long hours down the local mines, but his wages were barely enough to make ends meet. This dire financial situation gnawed at his pride and led to endless arguments with Maria.

Maria, once a vibrant and hopeful woman, had been worn down by years of abuse. Her once-bright eyes had dimmed, and she existed in a constant state of fear. She had watched helplessly as Juan's cruelty grew worse, his anger increasingly directed at Isabella.
Isabella, a delicate flower amidst the storm, had dreams of escaping her family's torment. She longed to be free from the violence that plagued her home and to pursue a life of her choosing. But her dreams seemed to grow more impossible with every year that passed, she was growing up in a world that offered few options to women like her. Would she be forced into prostitution like one of the other tenants in the house, Encarna?
Desperation had driven Encarna to make a heart-wrenching decision. She sought the help of a local madam who offered her a path to financial security. Reluctantly, Encarna had become trapped in a life of prostitution, her youthful innocence tarnished by the darkness of the town's underbelly.
The chandelier in the hallway, once a symbol of the house's opulence, now served as a cruel reminder of the light that had been extinguished in the lives of the occupants.
Years passed, and the chandelier remained a silent witness to the Gómez family's and Encarna’s suffering. 
Maria clung to the hope of a better future for her daughter.
One fateful day, a stranger came knocking at their door—a kind-hearted woman from a local women's shelter who had heard of their plight. With her support, all of the women living in the house (Encarna, Maria and Isabella) found the strength to break free from the chains that bound them to a life of despair.
The chandelier in the hallway continued to shine brilliantly, serving as a symbol of hope and resilience. It was a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, the human spirit could find a way to endure and overcome. Casting a ray of light onto the path of those who dared to seek a better life.

The next part of the apartment had a huge story to tell and included an escape tunnel. The tunnel was still visible when the property was renovated and had been made into the most wonderful feature wall.
You don’t want to miss the next El Palacete blog!

I highly recommend trying El Palacete.
They also have a fantastic vegetarian/vegan restaurant ‘The Happy Herbivore’, the food is out of this world.
Take a look at the El Palacete website https://www.english.palacetedecuevas.com